Two days after the terror strike on the army camp in Nagrota, in which seven soldiers including two officers were killed, the National Conference leader said India is paying the price for the statements made by the government post-September 29 surgical strikes on terror launch pads by the Indian Army.

Reacting sharply to the comments, Madhav called Abdullah an “apologist for terrorists”.

“Pathetic to see Omar Abdullah playing the role of an apologist for terrorists and blaming terror attacks on some statements,” Madhav said on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, talking to media persons in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Abdullah said: “We are paying the price for the statements that were made post the surgical strikes. The Nagrota attack is a result of statements made by various ministers against Pakistan.”

Pointing to repeated attacks on Indian military establishments, he said had the government “believed in action rather than words”, the situation would have been different.

Abdullah said he disapproves of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement that India does not want a war with Pakistan, “but if someone looks at the country with an evil eye, we will gouge his eyes out and put them back in his hand”.

He said if such a statement is made by the Defence Minister, then “we should expect attacks like Nagrota”.

He said Modi’s claim that demonetisation would end terrorism in the country is another reason for terror attacks being stepped up in Jammu and Kashmir.

“It’s the opposition’s role to do the talking and the government’s role to act. Unfortunately, it’s the government which is indulging in talking. I would urge the government to act, there needs a role reversal,” added Abdullah.